Smokey Mountains - Cades Cove

I had thought the drive would be shorter - but it was a pretty long drive from Stone Mountain to Pigeon Forge. But it was pretty - with stops like this along the way...

We loved our hotel - The Inn at Christmas Place. It was very pretty and Bryce LOVED the pool. Our home for three nights.

Day 4 - this was mostly a hiking and exploring day of the Smokey Mountains National Park. As we were driving towards Cade's Cove - we spotted a mother bear and two baby bears playing in the woods. But they were gone so quickly we didn't get good pictures from the car. I was bummed - a bear spotting an no pictures. Soon after entering Cades Cove - we spotted a momma deer and her baby - getting a bath. It was very sweet - and lots of spots!

(click on the photos to see bigger)

And then we saw them - bears. Right there in front of us - a mother caring for at least one baby but it may have been two. A small group formed - was this smart? We were so close. No - not smart. Two days later a boy got attacked and his father fought off the bear. He only had arm wounds - but my "motherly instincts" told me we should go.....